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Census and Statistics Department wins Outstanding Gold Award in Privacy-Friendly Awards for second consecutive time (with photos)

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Census and Statistics Department wins Outstanding Gold Award in Privacy-Friendly Awards for second consecutive time  
The Commissioner for Census and Statistics, Mr Leo Yu, attended the awards presentation ceremony yesterday (July 10) and exchanged insights with representatives from other award-winning enterprises, public and privacy organisations, as well as government departments on their efforts to safeguard personal data privacy.
 
Mr Yu said, “By upholding the values of respect for privacy and commitment to excellence, the C&SD has long been maintaining momentum for improvement. The department has been implementing various measures to continuously enhance personal data privacy and data security. Colleagues of all ranks of the department will continue to be committed to a high standard of personal data protection and data security. The general public can feel secure in providing data to us, for compiling relevant and accurate statistics. The statistics will be used by the Government as references when formulating public policies, and also be used by various sectors of society. The public can thus contribute together to the social and economic development of Hong Kong by this means.”
     
The Privacy-Friendly Awards, organised by the PCPD, aims to recognise the efforts made by enterprises, public and private organisations as well as government departments in protecting personal data privacy. There are four categories of the Privacy-Friendly Awards, which are Outstanding Gold, Gold, Silver and Bronze Awards, with new special awards introduced this year to commend organisations for their outstanding performance in the relevant aspects of protecting personal data privacy.
 
For details on personal data privacy protection at the C&SD, please visit: www.censtatd.gov.hk/en/page_1083.htmlIssued at HKT 17:45

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Development Bureau imposes regulating action on contractor involved in fatal industrial incident at non-governmental construction site in Chek Lap Kok

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Development Bureau imposes regulating action on contractor involved in fatal industrial incident at non-governmental construction site in Chek Lap Kok 
The DEVB, being the party to procure services for public works, attaches great importance to the site safety performance of all construction sites under the purview of contractors on the List, regardless of whether the sites are public works construction sites or not. The DEVB issued a notification to the contractor concerned today to suspend it from tendering for public works contracts in the roads and drainage category with immediate effect pursuant to the regulating regime. The contractor concerned has to conduct an independent safety audit to review its safety management system. Taking cognisance of the outcome of the independent safety audit, the contractor is required to submit an improvement action plan and implement improvement measures, with a view to demonstrating that it has an effective safety management system before the lifting of the suspension from tendering can be considered. The suspension from tendering is not only confined to future tender exercises but is also applicable to tender exercises with procedures initiated but not concluded.
 
The Labour Department is investigating this industrial incident and will handle it in accordance with the law. Subject to the investigation findings, the DEVB may impose further regulating actions on the contractor concerned later on, including extension of the period of suspension from tendering for public works contracts and even removal from the List.
Issued at HKT 17:35

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Ballot applications to start on July 17 for free use of leisure facilities on Sport For All Day 2025

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

The Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) will launch the Sport For All Day (SFAD) 2025 on August 3 (Sunday), with a number of fee-charging leisure facilities to be open for public use free of charge on that day. These facilities include indoor badminton courts, volleyball courts, basketball courts, squash courts, table tennis tables, fitness rooms, activity rooms, dance rooms, etc; outdoor tennis courts, bowling greens, archery ranges, golf facilities, etc; and public swimming pools and water sports centres (craft hiring). Details are available on the event dedicated website: www.lcsd.gov.hk/en/sfad.

The free-of-charge sessions for August 3 will be allocated through balloting. From July 17 to 23, members of the public can make ballot applications on SmartPLAY as individual users. Each application can include up to three choices of sessions. Any applicant wishing to change the choices in his/her application made can do so on SmartPLAY before the closing time at 11.59pm on July 23. The computer balloting results will be announced on July 26. Successful applicants will be notified by the SmartPLAY system. Any remaining sessions will be open for application on SmartPLAY on a first-come, first-served basis from July 28 to members of the public not having been allocated any free session by ballot or not having made any application. Each successful applicant will only be allocated one free session, whether through balloting or first-come, first-served booking.

The LCSD appeals to successful applicants to arrive on time to make the best use of the booked facilities. All users should observe the Conditions of Use of LCSD Recreation and Sports Facilities (the Conditions) as set out on the LCSD website www.lcsd.gov.hk/en/condition/index.html (including the “no-show/not present during the use of the booked sessions” penalty). If a successful applicant fails to take up a booked session on time, the arrangements stipulated in the Conditions will apply. For enquiry, please call 2414 5555 or visit the dedicated website.

No prior application will be required for using public swimming pool facilities. Members of the public may line up at the entrances of swimming pools before the start of a session. Free admission is offered on a first-come, first-served basis.

A series of free recreation and sports programmes will also be conducted on the same day (from 2pm to 6pm) at designated sports centres across the 18 districts. The arrangements for distributing free activity coupons will be announced within July.

Echoing the SFAD 2025, a number of organisations will open up their facilities or roll out recreation and sports programmes on August 3 for the public free of charge. Up-to-date information will be provided on the dedicated website.

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Approved Yuen Long Outline Zoning Plan amended

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Approved Yuen Long Outline Zoning Plan amended 
The Notes and Explanatory Statement of the OZP are amended to take into account the above amendments. Opportunity is also taken to update the general information of various land use zones and the planning scheme area, where appropriate. 
Any person may make written representations in respect of the amendments to the Secretary of the Town Planning Board on or before September 11. Any person who intends to make a representation is advised to read the Town Planning Board Guidelines No. 29C on “Submission and Processing of Representations and Further Representations” (TPB PG-No. 29C).* The Secretariat of the Town Planning Board reserves the right to require the representer to provide identity proof for verification.Issued at HKT 16:00

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Welcome to Participate in the 2025 Presidential Hackathon

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

Initiated by Taiwan’s Presidential Office in 2019, the Presidential Hackathon International Track has now entered its 7th year. This event invites individuals of all ages and nationalities to leverage open data, technology, and innovative thinking to propose solutions for public issues, addressing national development and societal needs. It aims to foster cross-border, cross-disciplinary, and public-private collaboration, encouraging interaction among data owners, data scientists, and experts from various fields. Global participants are welcomed to submit innovative data-driven solutions to enhance public welfare and governance innovation.
The International Track targets global citizens, with the 2025 theme being “Digital Innovation for Resilience and Sustainability,” aligning with the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It seeks innovative digital technology solutions to achieve: (1) Strengthening Whole-of-Social Resilience: Enhancing society’s capacity to respond to sudden challenges (e.g., disasters) through solutions like early-warning applications that integrate central and local networks to improve disaster response efficiency; (2) Promoting Sustainable Development: Advancing environmental and resource protection, such as using integrated IoT environmental data and AI analysis to support decision-makers in crafting sustainable policies for a more livable environment.
Eligibility and Requirements:
1. Open to all, encouraging teams from academia, industry, civil society, government, and media, with a vision for solving specific issues using open data.
2. Teams must consist of 3–10 members, with each person limited to one team, and must designate one primary and one secondary contact person.
3. At least one team member must be a non-ROC national.
4. Registration is open from June 16, 2025, 9:00 AM to August 8, 2025, 5:00 PM (GMT+08:00). Teams must submit an online application form via the official website (https://gov.tw/cYQ), with all submissions and documents in English.
For details, visit: https://presidential-hackathon.taiwan.gov.tw/

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Same-sex partnerships bill published

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Registration of Same-sex Partnerships Bill was published in the Government Gazette today.

The bill fulfils the obligation of the Government under Article 14 of the Hong Kong Bill of Rights (BOR14) – as declared by the Court of Final Appeal in the case of Sham Tsz Kit v Secretary for Justice – whereby an “alternative framework” will be established through legislation for legal recognition of same-sex partnerships, while providing for appropriate rights and obligations attendant on such recognition.

The bill aims to establish a registration system for same-sex partnerships. It covers the setting up of a same-sex partnership registry, the conditions for registration of same-sex partnerships, the mode of application for registration and revocation of registration, and offences and penalties related to the registration mechanism.

The bill also amends certain provisions in other legislation to provide for rights and obligations attendant on the recognition of same-sex partnerships.

The Government said it respects the court’s judgment, and will fulfil its obligation under BOR14 by establishing an alternative framework through legislation. It stressed that the current proposal fully accounts for the actual situation and overall interests of Hong Kong, and strives to achieve an appropriate balance.

The Government added that it will continue to maintain close communication with the Legislative Council to implement the bill.

It reiterated that establishing the alternative framework to introduce a registration system for same-sex partnerships will not compromise the Government’s established position on upholding Hong Kong’s monogamous and heterosexual marriage system.

The bill will be introduced in LegCo for first reading on July 16.

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Mainland Shunde cuisine brand “Under Big Banyan” establishes regional headquarters in Hong Kong to drive overseas expansion (with photo)

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Mainland Shunde cuisine brand “Under Big Banyan” establishes regional headquarters in Hong Kong to drive overseas expansion (with photo) 
Associate Director-General of Investment Promotion at InvestHK Mr Arnold Lau said, “We welcome ‘Under Big Banyan’ to join Hong Kong’s diverse food and beverage landscape. The brand’s choice of Hong Kong as its international gateway underscores our city’s role as an ideal springboard connecting the Mainland and the global market, highlighting Hong Kong’s strengths in internationalisation, cultural inclusiveness and its business environment, providing strong support for brands to go global.”
 
     The Chairman of “Under Big Banyan”, Mr Liu Weihua, said, “We chose Hong Kong not only for its geographical advantages, but also for its market – with strong spending power and an internationalised customer base, serving as an excellent platform for promoting Shunde cuisine overseas. Hong Kong attracts tourists from all over the world, helping to significantly boost our brand’s international exposure. The city’s multicultural environment also allows us to assess the suitability of our dishes for global markets.”
 
Mr Liu added, “Hong Kong’s robust business infrastructure, legal and tax transparency and seamless connection with the Mainland enable us to validate our overseas business model at a lower cost. The new regional headquarters in Hong Kong will oversee and co-ordinate our business operations across Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan and Southeast Asia. Additionally, we will establish an international training base for Cantonese chefs, nurturing local catering talent to support the brand’s long-term development.”
 
He stated that the essence of Shunde cuisine is “never tire of fine food, the charm of home cooking”, emphasising lightness, freshness, tenderness, and smoothness. The signature dishes of “Under Big Banyan” are braised goose with black bean sauce, fresh fish skin and pan-fried stuffed lotus root, combining nutritional value with great taste that meet the global demand for high-quality Chinese cuisine. Hong Kong, as a culinary hub of Asia, will serve as a vital gateway for promoting Shunde’s culinary culture to the world.
 
     “Under Big Banyan”, founded in 2019, currently operates over 50 directly managed stores across various cities in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, and the brand has received numerous industry accolades. With the mission of delivering “freshly made Shunde cuisine”, the brand is dedicated to showcasing the unique flavours of Shunde food with freshness as its core value – a commitment that has been widely embraced by diners.
 
To download event photos, please visit: www.flickr.com/photos/investhk/albums/72177720327419962Issued at HKT 11:45

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